Phillies bullpen allows nine runs in 9-3 Opening Day loss to Braves

The Philadelphia Phillies' bullpen allowed seven hits and nine earned runs in three innings, blowing a 2-0 seventh inning lead en route to a 9-3 Opening Day loss to the Braves.

Matt Strahm allowed three hits and two earned runs in 0.1 innings, while Jose Alvarado allowed three hits and five earned runs in 0.2 innings, earning the loss.

The Philadelphia Phillies had the number one bullpen in Major League Baseball entering the season, according to MLB's FanGraphs WAR projections.

Zack Wheeler was brilliant in his first career Opening Day start , allowing just five hits and no runs in 6.0 innings of work, throwing 89 pitches and 63 strikes, striking out five.

Brandon Marsh was responsible for the Phillies' first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the bottom of the 5th inning .

Only one Phillie, Alec Bohm, had two hits, while the top four hitters in the lineup—Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto—combined to go 0-14 with seven strikeouts.

The Phillies are back at it for game two of a three game opening series against the Braves tomorrow at 4:05pm at Citizens Bank Park. It'll be Aaron Nola vs. Max Fried.